Quick Summary
Some headaches are associated with a problem in the neck, but neck pain can also accompany migraine and other headaches. Our assessment considers the pattern of your headache, neck movement and relevant medical history. For an established neck-related headache, treatment may combine carefully chosen hands-on care, exercise and practical advice.
What is Cervicogenic Headache?
Cervicogenic headache means head pain attributed to a neck disorder. Symptoms often begin near the upper neck and spread towards the head, sometimes mainly on one side. A stiff or tender neck alone does not confirm this diagnosis. We ask about headache onset, triggers, associated symptoms and any previous medical assessment before recommending care.
Your assessment at J&J Therapy looks at how symptoms affect your day, relevant health history, movement and strength. We explain the findings, agree priorities with you and advise when medical review or imaging would change your care.
Do You Experience These Symptoms?
- Head pain associated with neck discomfort or reduced movement.
- A familiar headache reproduced by some neck movements or sustained tasks.
- Often one-sided symptoms, although other headache conditions can look similar.
An assessment helps guide your next step, based on your symptoms, health and goals.
Why can it develop?
Neck joints and surrounding tissues can contribute to referred head pain. Injury or persistent neck symptoms may be part of the history, but a specific painful structure cannot always be confirmed. Headache patterns that are new, changing or unexplained need medical assessment.
Your treatment plan at J&J Therapy
Hands-On Manual Therapy
Gentle neck or upper-back mobilisation and soft tissue work may be considered when the examination supports a neck contribution. We agree techniques with you and review whether they improve headache-related activities.
Is Shockwave Suitable?
Shockwave is not a routine treatment for cervicogenic headache. It is not an alternative to checking for migraine, neurological symptoms or other causes of headache.
Targeted Exercise Programme
A tailored programme may build comfortable neck movement, low-load neck control and shoulder endurance. We also look at the activities that reliably trigger your familiar symptoms and help you adjust them.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Help
While most symptoms are not serious, urgent medical attention is required if you experience any of the following:
- Call 999 for a sudden severe headache with weakness, speech or vision problems, confusion or collapse. A sudden “worst-ever” headache needs emergency assessment.
- A severe headache with fever and marked neck stiffness needs emergency assessment; call 999 or attend A&E. Seek urgent help after significant injury or with a new visual disturbance.
- Arrange prompt GP review for a new or changing headache pattern, especially with unexplained weight loss, cancer history or symptoms that are steadily worsening.
Your questions answered
Can migraine also cause neck pain?
Yes. Neck pain does not automatically make a headache cervicogenic. Migraine and other headache types may need medical treatment; tell us about nausea, light sensitivity, visual symptoms and your usual headache pattern.
How will you measure progress?
We agree useful measures such as headache frequency, activity tolerance or sleep disruption. A diary can help. If the pattern changes or there is no useful progress, we reconsider the plan and referral needs.
Which appointment should I book?
Have a new, changing or unexplained headache assessed by a GP first. For an established neck-related problem, book a Physiotherapy Initial Assessment. Soft Tissue Therapy may support associated muscle tension after assessment, but does not replace headache diagnosis or medical treatment.
Book an appointment at J&J Therapy, ground floor, CI Tower, New Malden. Need help choosing? Call our reception team on 07935 869938.
Sources and further reading
This page is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice.
Information updated 15 October 2026. General information only; this page does not diagnose your symptoms or replace an individual assessment. Treatment depends on your health, examination and preferences. Use the urgent-care advice above when needed.